MADISON, Wisconsin – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin thanks three Wisconsin legislators for co-authoring the Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA). The legislation was introduced to Congress earlier this month. Representatives Scott Fitzgerald, Glenn Grothman and Tom Tiffany all co-authored the legislation.
FOCA combats government-mandated project labor agreement schemes and ensures federal and federally assisted contracts are awarded through a fair and competitive bidding process. Restoring merit-based competition allows all qualified contractors to compete on a level playing field based on merit, experience, quality and safety in order to deliver the best projects at the best cost.
“Wisconsin already knows the benefits of fair and open competition,” said John Schulze, Director of Government Relations at ABC of Wisconsin. “Now it’s time for the Federal Government to acknowledge that project labor agreements prevent the majority of the construction workforce from working on federal projects. FOCA provides a better way forward.”
In Wisconsin, 8 out of every 10 construction workers choose to work in a merit shop (source: unionstats.com). Without FOCA, these workers are left out of the bidding process for federal projects. Merit shops value open competition and understand that competitive bidding processes result in the best and most affordable projects for taxpayers.
“We celebrate the Wisconsin legislators who brought our state’s successful model of open competition to Washington DC,“ Schulze said. “We look forward to policies that create more opportunities for builders in Wisconsin and beyond.”
